Average rates vs National Average

Cellphone/Texting

Alabama

Explained

Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban:

No

All Cell Phone Use Ban for Novice Drivers:

Drivers that are 16 years old or 17 years old with an Intermediate License for less than 6 months cannot use a cell phone at all while driving in Alabama.

Drivers that are 16 years old or 17 years old with an Intermediate License for less than 6 months cannot use a cell phone at all while driving in Alabama.

Texting Ban:

In Alabama, text messaging is banned for all drivers.

In Alabama, text messaging is banned for all drivers.

DUI Laws

Alabama

Explained

The legal limit for a blood alcohol concentration (BAC):

0.08

The legal limit for a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) while driving is 0.08. It is a crime to drive with a BAC at this number or above it.

Increased penalty for high BAC:

.15 or above

There's an increased penalty for driving with a BAC 0.15 or above.

1st offense Suspension:

90 days

Administrative license suspension on the 1st offense: In Alabama, law enforcers can confiscate a first-time offender's driver's license for 90 days if he or she exceeds the legal limit.

Ignition Interlocks:

Mandatory for repeat offenders

Ignition Interlocks: These are devices installed in the cars of convicted drunk drivers, which analyze the breath or the driver before starting the vehicle and disable the ignition if alcohol is detected. Alabama has made ignition interlocks mandatory for all repeat drunk driving offenders.

Repeat Offenders:

Pending review by NHTSA & FHWA

Pending review by NHTSA & FHWA

Open Container Law:

Pending review by NHTSA & FHWA

Pending review by NHTSA & FHWA

Graduated Drivers License

Alabama

Explained

Learner Stage:

Age: 15
Duration: 6 months
Supervised Driving Hours: 30

(Supervised driving, to be completed with a driving test): At 15 years of age, individuals can begin driving with supervision for a period of time lasting a minimum of six months. In this stage, the new drivers are required to get 30 hours of supervised driving hours, 0 of which need to be with driver's education.

Intermediate Stage:

(Some limits are applied to unsupervised drivers in high-risk situations): 16-year-old drivers who passed the driver's test are now unsupervised drivers in the intermediate stage. These drivers are not allowed to drive between the hours of midnight and 6am and they cannot have more than one passenger in their vehicle, except family.

Full Privilege Age:

Age: 17

(Full driver's license): At the age of 17, Alabama drivers can now get a standard driver's license without restrictions.